I am a believing Catholic, and I am increasingly convinced that the vocations shortage is artificial. It is created by the quisling pro-homosexual, pro-priestess faction that controls many diocesan chanceries, vocations offices, and seminaries. This faction actively discourages vocations among orthodox Catholic men loyal to Catholic teaching, to Rome, and to the Church, because those men will not advance their agenda. Their ultimate goal is to present to Rome a priestless American church as a fait accompli, with the subtext being, "If you want priests again, ordain women."There's something to that, but the fact is that there aren't that many young men like that, and those that are likely to face family issues, as the tend to be very family-oriented as well. While celibacy means no sex, it also means no children. So the disincentive only increases...especially if his parents are hoping for grandchildren, as most do.
As for the pay issue, an old friend of mine is a "youth minister" (I think his title is) at a large Catholic Church. He's married and has a little girl. He costs them as much as a married priest would.
Another factor in holding onto celibacy is the "we did it, why shouldn't they" factor, that no longstanding organization is immune to.
-Eric
Then I think those guys don't fully appreciate the charism of the priesthood. It's our fault for not telling them.
It is unconscionable that a single young man is discouraged from the priesthood because he is "too Catholic". Good priests lead to more vocations, which lead to more good priests. Cut off the good priests at the source, and you kill the plant at the root. And that's exactly the plan!
As for the pay issue, an old friend of mine is a "youth minister" (I think his title is) at a large Catholic Church. He's married and has a little girl. He costs them as much as a married priest would.
A few large churches in rich neighborhoods can afford that. Small ones, or ones in poorer communities, cannot.